Ice-can bracket and drop tube



July 3, 192s.

W. W. JOHNSON ICE CAN BRACKET AND DROP TUBE iNVENTOR W WJOHMSUN Patented July 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM W. JOHNSON, OF MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.

ICE-CAN BRACKET AND DROP TUBE.

kApplication filed July 20,

The present invention is concerned with the provision of a bracket adapted to be used for supporting the drop tubes in the ice cans when blowing raw water ice. The bracket also serves to retain the ice can in proper position during t-he ice making period.

An object of the invention is to provide a bracket of this character which will serve to firmly retain an ice can against the bottom of thel freezing tank or flatly against a timber which may be laid on the freezing tank bottom, so that the blocks of ice will be square topped.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bracket which will effectively preventy the water filled ice can from floating in the brine, and will thereby greatly expe` dite the freezing of the water in the can.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a bracket supporting the drop tubes in such a manner that the tubes are selfcentering, being mounted for avfree pendulum-like swinging movement, and finding the center of the can by gravity.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a bracket of simple, practical construction which will be rugged, durable and eiiicient in use, which may be conveniently utilized for retaining conventional types of ice cans in conventional types of frames, which may be applied or removed with ease and expedition, and which may be manufactured and installed with comparative economy.

lVith the above noted and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combin nations and arrangements of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter set forth and pointed out in the claims` The invention may be more fully understood from the followingdescription in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through the upper portion, of an ice can and its supporting frame timbers, showing one of the brackets of the present invention in use, and a drop tube supported thereby;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bracket; and

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

1927. Serial No. 207,160.

In the drawings l have used the reference character 10 to designate the conventional rectangular supporting frame formed of timbers within which an ice can 11 is adapted to be retained during the freezing operation. 1t is understood that the frame 1U will be supported adjacent the surface of the brine in the brine tank, and the can 11 will dip into the brine. The cans are provided with oppositely disposed round openings 1Q adjacent their upper edges, these. openings being formed to permit the engagement of a lifting tool with the can when removing the latter from a brine tank, and extending through the usual can bands 13 just above the uppen ends of the usual instruck strengthening ribs or corrugations 14.

The bracket of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical shank portion 15 terminating in a reduced end 16 of circular cross section adapted to pass through one of' the openings lf2 and enter a socket 17 in the frame 10. To prevent wear on the frame this socket is preferably lined with a metal wear sleeve 18, lt will be understood that the diameter of the reduced extension 16 is such that the extension may be readily slipped through the opening 12 and into the socket. The extension defines shoulder 19 which is adapted to abut the inner face of the ice can l1 around the opening 12.

The bracket shank inclines downwardlv as indicated at 20, terminating in a fiat off set and slightly downwardly inclining substantially horizontal portion 21 adapted for disposition over the center of the can, The portion 21 of the bracket only assumes a true horizontal position when the can has iioated up and slightly lifted the free end of the bracket by its engagement with the bracket extension 16. An opening 22 in the fiat end Q1 of the bracket includes a bevelled mouth 23 centering and jnoviding a seat for the rounded lower end 24C of a ferrule 25. This ferrule is adapted for attachment to an air line (not shown), and carries a drop tube 2G passed through the opening in the bracket. To facilitate the connection of the air line a. tapered socket 2T is provided in the tcp of the ferrule.

The distance from the shoulder 19 to the center of the opening 22 is exactly half the width of the can, so that when the drop tube is inserted through the opening 22 it will be centrally disposed. rlie round bottomed ferrule rocking` i-n ,the flared 'mouth 'of opening` 22 has a free svi ging movement to find its own final position by graifity, and

this position will necessarily be at Vthe exact` fend of the .pipe is preferably yprovided lwith a series of equidistantly spaced upwardly eiftending vairdischargingg,` slots 28 through which the air escapes. y `lFrom the foregoing` description it will be apparent that the 'bracket offers a means. 'for securely holding` the ice can down against A the tank bottoml or against timbers on the bottom in 'an absolutely level position., so .that the block of ice produced will. lbe square topped. 'It also overcomes any tendency ofthe can to float in the brine., and cxpedites :the "freezii'ig` 'of the. Water 'in the can. lt can cheaply constructedand may be .quickly applied, and the drop pipenv'hich it carries quickly inserted or removed.`

y Obviously, various changes and alteration'smight'be made in the general form and arrangement. of parts described Without departing frointhe invention. Hence l do r'not Wish to 4limit myself to the details set forthfbut shall consider myself at liberty to make suc-li 'changes rand alterations as fairly f'all withinthe spirit andscope ofthe appended claims.

l. An ice can bracket including a shank7 a reduced portion at one end of the shank adapted to pass through the opening kin an ice can and enter an opening in a can supporting frame, the reduced extension detining` shoulder on the shank 'adapted to abut the inner fa'ce of an ice cau,'the opposite end of the shank being offset and having` an opening therein adapted to receive a drop tube.

2. An -i'c'e can bra 'lz ,t includingl av shank7 a reduced portion at one end of the shank adapted to pass tl-rrough the opening` in an ice can and enter an opening in a can cuppor'ting frame, the reduced extension delining a shoulder on the shank adapted to .abut

y the inner face of an ice can, the Aopposite end of the shank being' oiisct and 'having an opening therein adapted to receive a drop tube, the mouth of the opening 'being` 'flared and permitting' rocking' of the round-bottomed -tu'be-supporting ferrule, 'whereby the tube may have a pendulum-'lil-e swinging 'movement and '5nd the center of the can by gravity.

3. n a brine tank assembly7 including a can frame and a can in the frame, 'a ybracket having at one end a member gassing'th'rough l 'theside of the'can and l.into the frame, Where- 'by to prevent 'the can from floating., the free end being offset, said offset endbeing flattened -and 'disposed over the center of the can and having` a drop tube opening therein.

l. lna `brine 'tank assembly, a can frame, a can in the frame", a can bracket, one end of "said bracket passed through said can and 'intothe frame'to prevent the can from floating, the free end jof lthe 'bracket oset, a drop tube suspended from said offset. bracket end, vand disposed substantially centrally of the'can. L

WILLIAM iV. JHNSO?. 

